Volume One, Chapter 31: Warning

Lin Luoyao's return, coupled with her sharp tone, easily ignited the tension in the room with a single remark.

Not only Gu Zhiming and his companions, but even the surrounding guests paused their conversations. Everyone turned to look at Lin Luoyao.

"Second Miss Lin, what do you mean by this?" Yan Yan could no longer contain herself, forcing a smile. "We all know you have issues with Jiang Wan, but you can't just slander the Gu family without evidence. Who—"

Before she could finish, Lin Luoyao crossed her arms arrogantly over her chest.

"Who is slandering?" Lin Luoyao lifted her chin, her posture confident and unwavering. "I wondered why she was in such a hurry to leave earlier. Turns out she had an appointment with another man."

"Which executive from Lin Group did she target this time? My cousin gave you a room card to change clothes, not to sneak off with someone!"

As she spoke, her gaze locked directly onto Jiang Wan and Gu Huaixu, who stood among other guests, husband and wife together.

Since her return, Jiang Wan had maintained a false smile, gentle and obedient, always at Gu Huaixu's side, dutifully playing the role of a virtuous wife.

But Lin Luoyao's accusations made Jiang Wan's face turn pale in an instant.

Yet within moments, she forced herself to remain calm, glancing at the man beside her.

Gu Huaixu frowned, clearly displeased as he stared at Lin Luoyao.

"Lin Luoyao, are you ever going to stop?" He tightened his hold around Jiang Wan's waist, his tone uncompromising. "You made a mess earlier, embarrassed my wife, and now you're at it again."

"Has no one told you that your troublemaking is quite ridiculous?"

Gu Huaixu’s words were sharp, showing no regard for Lin Luoyao.

But when one person rises, all those around them rise too. Now that Lin Group had secured the prized land, their influence and status had surpassed the Gu family.

Yan Yan hurried over to mediate.

"Huaixu, mind your attitude," she said, offering Lin Luoyao an appeasing smile. "Second Miss Lin, if you feel Jiang Wan embarrassed you earlier, I’ll have her apologize."

"Today is Lin Group’s celebration banquet; it’s not good for us to cause a scene here. If word gets out, it would tarnish both the Gu family's reputation and Lin Group’s as well, wouldn’t it?"

"Second Miss Lin isn’t someone unreasonable, right?"

Yan Yan softened her tone, speaking to Lin Luoyao as one might soothe a child.

Not only her, but the guests around them also cast strange looks at Lin Luoyao.

It wasn’t gossip or curiosity, but a judgment that she was immature and childish.

"Yes, Second Miss Lin, everyone knows you care about your older cousin and are standing up for her. But on a day like this, in such a setting, it's really inappropriate..."

"Second Miss Lin, please don’t make a scene."

Several people tried to persuade her.

For a moment, Lin Luoyao became the one at fault.

Seeing this, Jiang Wan seized the opportunity to apologize.

"I’m sorry, Second Miss Lin." She bowed her head, following the flow, "If I have offended you in any way, I hope you’ll forgive me and—"

Before Jiang Wan could finish, Lin Luoyao exploded.

"You dare!" She interrupted Jiang Wan, her eyes wide as saucers. "Are you planning to repeat your old tricks?!"

Facing the guests, Lin Luoyao raised her voice, "You don’t believe me, think I’m making things up? Fine!"

She finished angrily, pointing in a certain direction.

Fixing her gaze on a waiter, she commanded, "Bring the item over here! Today, I’ll reveal this woman’s true nature!"

Lin Luoyao said this, giving Gu Huaixu a mocking glance.

"Gu Huaixu, I thought you were smart, but apparently not... You’re already wearing a crown of green, and you’re still blindly protecting your wife?"

Her forceful words and arrogant attitude shifted the guests' mood once more.

Everyone grew curious, turning their attention to the waiter.

He approached, carrying a bundle of clothing, and handed it to Lin Luoyao.

The guests were perplexed.

But Jiang Wan alone knew. The moment she saw the pale gray color, she realized what was coming.

Her composure crumbled, and she could no longer remain calm.

She clenched her hands tightly, her nails digging into her palms, using the pain to force herself to stay collected.

But Lin Luoyao’s commotion was so loud that Lin Hongguang and others were drawn over.

More and more guests paid attention.

In front of everyone, Lin Luoyao took the shirt and unfolded it.

"Look! Everyone, see for yourselves—what is this?"

She held up the oversized men’s shirt, spinning in place to show it to all those present.

The pale gray luxury fabric reflected the light, clearly expensive—a limited edition from a high-end designer brand.

But what could a single men’s shirt prove?

The guests wondered, until Lin Luoyao continued.

"This was found in my cousin’s lounge. Would you like to check if the lipstick stain on this shirt matches the color on Jiang Wan’s lips?!"

After her demonstration, she faced Jiang Wan directly.

Lin Luoyao’s gaze was fierce, her lips curled in a cold smile.

Old grudges and new hatred combined; she was determined to drag Jiang Wan into hell, so that she would never again raise her head in front of her.

Prompted by Lin Luoyao's words, all eyes shifted from the lipstick stain on the shirt to Jiang Wan.

The converging stares were like arrows, piercing Jiang Wan with a thousand wounds, leaving her battered and bleeding.

Jiang Wan felt suffocated.

Her complexion grew uncontrollably pale, making her cherry-red lips stand out even more.

Not just the guests, but even Gu Huaixu, Yan Yan, as well as Lin Hongguang and Ji Jiali in the distance—

Everyone’s expression changed the moment they compared the lipstick color.

It was the mark she had left in her struggle.

But now, it had become evidence of her supposed infidelity.

"Jiang Wan, is what Second Miss Lin said true?" Yan Yan’s face was cold as she questioned, displeased. "What happened when you went to change clothes?"

Jiang Wan dared not speak.

The hand that had been wrapped around her waist slipped away silently.

Gu Huaixu, as if recalling something, now looked at her with suspicion.

In an instant, Jiang Wan became the eye of the storm.

She felt as if she had returned to the nightmare of two years ago.

Isolated and helpless, with only herself to rely on.

Her throat tightened, her heartbeat erratic.

"What, you can't speak?" Lin Luoyao sneered triumphantly. "Gu Huaixu, now do you believe me?"

"Your new bride was having a heated time in the lounge just now! Her dress was torn to shreds—should I have someone bring it over for you to see?"

Her words grew more exuberant, while Gu Huaixu's expression darkened.

The atmosphere turned tense.

Everyone stared at Jiang Wan with strange looks; her silence became evidence against her.

They were convinced she was the adulteress Lin Luoyao had accused.

"Who was the man?"

The eerie silence was shattered by Gu Huaixu’s displeased voice.

Jiang Wan felt his unprecedentedly sinister aura.

She tried to suppress her panic, her eyes reddened as she looked at him. "Husband, I didn’t—"

A resounding slap cut her off.

Gu Huaixu, furious and irrational, roared, "Tell me! Who was the man?"